THE Tallarook Cricket Club Committee late last month informed all Seymour District Cricket Association (SDCA) Clubs and the Executive of the SDCA that club Eastern Hill had made an official application to join the Gisborne District Cricket Association (GDCA).
If approved, the application would see the 12 clubs of the SDCA reduce to 11, with only Alexandra, Avenel, Broadford, Flowerdale, Kilmore, Puckapunyal, Pyalong, Royals, Seymour, Tallarook, and Yea remaining.
The Tallarook Cricket Club Committee stated that the secrecy of the application was an insult to the many discussions SDCA had during the last few years, which noted the importance of transparency and honesty of all clubs under the SDCA umbrella.
“Many times, over the past few years, we have sat around the table at delegate meetings and discussed the importance of all clubs being open and transparent about their intentions, as a matter of respect for other clubs and local cricketers who are passionate about playing cricket in our competition,” they said.
“Given the complete disregard that has been shown by Eastern Hill for this basic principle of respect, we think it is only fair that all clubs are made aware of their application to join the GDCA.
“This complete lack of respect for other clubs places our competition, our clubs, and local cricketers in a very difficult position.”
The Tallarook Cricket Club Committee will move to contact Cricket Victoria, Northern Rivers, and the GDCA to discuss the impact Eastern Hill’s decision has on the remaining clubs and competition, and are encouraging all clubs to forward on their concerns.
“We will formally request that the SDCA retains all clubs for the upcoming season to ensure we are all provided the proper opportunity to consider our respective options over a 12-month period, rather than be forced into rushed decisions on the eve of the SDCA’s AGM,” they said.
“As a club, we are greatly disappointed by the secretive manner in which this has transpired. While all clubs have the right to make decisions in their best interests, this should not come at the detriment of blindsided local clubs and cricketers.”
